How to Make a Heatmap in Excel (or Even Prettier with Graphy)

Heatmaps are a fantastic way to visualize data and spot trends at a glance. But if you’ve ever tried to create one in Excel, you might already know: it can be time-consuming and often leads to less-than-stunning results. In this post, I’ll walk you through the (somewhat tedious) process of building a heatmap in Excel—before revealing a far simpler solution in Graphy.

What Is a Heatmap, Anyway?

A heatmap uses color gradients to represent different values within a data set. High values may appear as darker or more saturated colors, while lower values appear lighter. This makes it incredibly easy to spot “hotspots,” outliers, and patterns without sifting through rows and rows of numbers.

Making a Heatmap in Excel: Step by Step

1. Prepare Your Data:
   
   

   • Open a new or existing Excel worksheet.
     
     
     

   • Organize your data in a clear table with rows and columns labeled.
     
     

     

     
     
     

2. Select Your Range:
   
   

   • Highlight the cells you want to visualize.

     
     

     

     
     
     
     

3. Apply Conditional Formatting:
   
   

   • Go to the Format tab.
     
     
     

   • Click on Conditional Formatting → Color Scales.
     
     
     

   • Pick one of Excel’s preset color scales or click More Rules to customize.

     
     

     

     
     
     
     

4. Fine-Tune Your Colors (Optional):
   
   

   • If you need a specific color palette, you can dig into the formatting settings.
     
     
     

   • Set minimum, midpoint, and maximum values to define your color stops.
     
     
     

5. Adjust Row/Column Widths (Optional):
   
   

   • Make sure your cells are sized in a way that your heatmap is easy to read (not too narrow or wide).
     
     
     

The Result

You’ll end up with colored cells corresponding to your data values. Congratulations—you have a rudimentary heatmap in Excel!

The (Not-So-Fun) Parts of Excel Heatmaps

• Limited Visual Appeal: Excel’s built-in color scales often look basic or outdated. Customizing them can be a hassle.
  
  
  

• Manual Tweaking: Want to change one aspect of the design? Get ready to dig through multiple formatting dialogs.
  
  
  

• Static Layout: If your data changes or grows, your conditional formatting rules may not automatically expand the heatmap correctly.
  
  
  

• Time-Consuming: Despite being “built-in,” the process can take quite a while if you’re aiming for something beyond the default presets.
  
  
  

Why Graphy Makes It Easier (and Prettier)

Let’s face it: if you’re creating heatmaps regularly—or if visual impact is important—you need a more specialized approach.

1. Instant Heatmap Generation
   Instead of wrestling with conditional formatting, you simply upload or connect your data in Graphy. The platform automatically generates a heatmap layout with sensible defaults.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

2. Modern, Polished Design
   Graphy offers sleek, professional color gradients and templates, so your heatmap looks engaging without extra design effort.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

3. Interactive Dashboards
   Need to hover over data points or filter categories in real time? Graphy supports interactive dashboards, making it easier for your team or clients to explore the data themselves.

   
   

   
   
   
   

4. Easy Updates
   If you change or add data, Graphy instantly refreshes your heatmap—no reformatting required.
   
   
   

5. One-Click Sharing
   Share a link, embed it on your website, or export visuals with just a few clicks. No more emailing Excel files around.
   
   

   

   
   
   

When to Choose Excel vs. Graphy

Excel Works, But Graphy Captivates

Yes, you can build a heatmap in Excel—it’s a decent solution if you’re only dealing with small data sets and don’t mind the occasional formatting headache. But if you’re looking for something that’s both easy and visually stunning, Graphy is the way to go.

With Graphy, you’ll skip the manual hassle of endless conditional formatting adjustments and create data visualizations that wow your audience in half the time.